Real-time three-dimensional weather display method and weathercast system

ABSTRACT

A method of graphically displaying weather data in real-time is disclosed. A plurality of subsets of weather data defining a detectable volume of a weather event affecting a geographic area are received over a period of time. Each of the subsets defines a volumetric portion of the weather event, and each subset is processed as it is received to create a plurality of components, each corresponding to a particular volumetric portion of the weather event. Each component is associated with a graphical representation of the affected geographic area as each component becomes available to create a then current three-dimensional model of the detectable volume of the weather event. A graphical representation of the then current three-dimensional model may be displayed during the associating step such that a viewer can observe the graphical representation changing a component at a time over the period of time. A system for graphically displaying weather data in real-time is also disclosed.

This application claims the priority date of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/062,588 filed on Oct. 20, 1997 and entitled “Methodand Hardware System for Collecting and Displaying Weather-Related Data,”the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to weather broadcasting and displaysystems, and more particularly to a three-dimensional weather displayand weathercast system utilizing real-time three-dimensionalrepresentations of meteorological data including radar gathered datacombined with geographical data for television broadcasts of simulatedweather patterns in three dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

For many years people have relied on weather broadcasts to help plantheir lives. According to Robert Henson in his book, TelevisionWeathercasting: A History, weather “consistently ranks as the top drawin both local and national news (when featured in the latter).”According to a poll conducted by the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration in 1980, weather was “the major reason that people watchthe news programs.”

The field of meteorology has seen significant technological advances inthe past few years. New and innovative devices such as Doppler radar,thunderstorm detectors, and wind and temperature profilers have allhelped meteorologists better understand and predict weather.

However, despite public interest and technological advances, the weatherdisplay seen by television viewers has not changed significantly overthe years. In nearly all television broadcasts, weather data ispresented as a flat, 2-D (two-dimensional) map overlay. In the mid1970's, “color-radar” was introduced, which differentiates areas ofprecipitation using a color-coding scheme. Patches of heavy rain, snowor hail are all depicted the same way: in red. Lighter areas ofprecipitation are represented in varying shades of yellow, green orblue.

The typical current weathercast display represents the weathersymbolically rather than realistically and usually only shows thegeneral air temperature and the location of precipitation. In someinstances, a superimposed satellite display of fluffy cloud patterns isshown moving along over the flat map from an exaggerated heightobservation point. The “blue screen” display behind the announcer stillusually shows the familiar two-dimensional patchwork rainfall amounts inred, yellow, green and blue. The satellite imagery displayed on theevening broadcast may be anywhere from a half-hour to four hours old.

Also significant is the information that is absent from the conventionalweathercast display, such as: (1) the type of precipitation, (2) thestrength and location of wind shear, (3) the presence of tomadicsignatures showing rapid circular motion, (4) the location of updraftvault, (5) the location of wall clouds, (6) the location of heavylightning activity, and (7) the wind direction on the ground.

The National Weather Service has a network of advanced S-Band radarstations in place at 138 sites in the United States, and is capable ofdelivering 77 different products to government meteorologists. Theseproducts include; winds aloft, lightning activity and wind shearconditions, such as microburst activity. However, of these 77 products,only 11 are commercially available through contract with several privateweather service companies which act as intermediaries between theNational Weather Service and the public. These companies charge for theuse of these eleven products and, in order to receive the latest radar(NEXRAD) information from a particular site, a private individual orcompany pays a monthly fee to receive the radar signal.

There are several patents, which disclose various systems ofthree-dimensional representation of topographical data andmeteorological data for pilots and flight simulators used in pilottraining.

Manelphe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,609 discloses an optoelectric system ofassistance in attack and navigational missions which provides athree-dimensional localization of a point of interest for a navigationalresetting operation or for a firing control operation.

Yen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,397 discloses a 3-D weather simulation systemused with a four-channel digital radar landmass simulator (DRLMS) forflight simulators which integrates culture, elevation, aspect, andweather. Weather maps can be loaded into the system as weather patternsand can be expanded, rotated, and translated. Weather mass is simulatedin three dimensions, i.e., having a bottom and height. Implementationentails the full or partial occupation of terrain and targets byweather, and vice versa.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,972 issued to Miller describes a weathercastingsystem for displaying weather radar information in 3D, such that theviewer can simulate moving through the system to visualize the effectsof a weather system at various geographical locations. Miller allows forthe combination of data from multiple weather sources, but states thathis weather images will be at least 20 minutes old by the time they arebroadcast. This time delay is due in large part to the variety ofweather data sources utilized by Miller, which cause delays both inreceiving and assimilating the information.

The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general,and these patents in particular by providing a weather-casting systemfor displaying dynamic real time three-dimensional pictorialrepresentations of weather conditions created from meteorological datacombined with geographical data. Meteorological data includingprecipitation, cloud cover data, the bottom and top of cloud formations,and reflectivity and velocity of rain droplets in real-time are acquiredfrom C-band Doppler radar, which is combined with NEXRAD data, and thedata is digitized and processed to produce a simulated, graphicallydisplayable three-dimensional image of the meteorological data. Themeteorological data is combined with the geographical data and displayedon a computer display screen, and manipulated by peripheral devicesconnected with the computer. The combined data is displayed as athree-dimensional graphical representation of weather conditionsrelative to a selective geographical area. The graphical representationcan be manipulated to allow the viewer to visualize the effects of theweather system at various geographical locations, and from variousangles. The graphical representation will also provide full volumetricdata of the storm, allowing the user to “slice” the storm to view crosssections from various angles, and from various positions, includingviewing the storm and a cross section from within the storm itself.

One problem associated with combining NEXRAD data with real-time Dopplerradar data is the time delay. NEXRAD data is typically updated only onceevery five or six minutes, whereas TV station Doppler radar data ispractically instantaneous. If the user is to present a full 3Dvolumetric model of a storm system, then the model would need to be atleast six minutes old to make use of the NEXRAD data. However, thepresent invention provides means for utilizing all of the NEXRAD data asit is available to match the real-time Doppler radar data. The NEXRADdata combined with the real-time Doppler radar provides an approximationof the entire volumetric data of the storm in real time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a 3-Dweather display system utilizing real-time, three-dimensionalrepresentations of combined meteorological data including Doppler radardata and NEXRAD data for television broadcasts of simulated weatherpatterns.

It is another object of this invention to provide a 3D weather displaysystem, wherein NEXRAD data is extrapolated forward in time forcombination with real-time Doppler radar data. The combined data is thenused to provide an approximation of real-time weather data in fullvolumetric 3D display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic stages of the presentinvention for collecting and displaying weather data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the major components of the system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a typical three-dimensional area that isthe subject of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a three-dimensional graphical display preparedutilizing the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, there is shown in blockdiagram in FIG. 1, the basic stages of obtaining and processing weatherdata in accordance with the present method. FIG. 2 illustrates the majorcomponents of the system, and FIG. 3 illustrates schematically thefusing of the NEXRAD) data with real-time Doppler radar data.

The present system incorporates five stages for obtaining and processingthe weather data; (1) geographical data creation and storage 10, (2)meteorological data acquisition 20, (3) process and combine themeteorological data 30, (4) creation of 3-D graphical representation ofweather display 40, and (5) combine weather display with geographic data50.

Referring to FIG. 2, the components utilized in the invention are shown.In the first stage 10, geographical data of a pre-determinedgeographical area may be compiled and stored in fixed memory bymicroprocessor 15 and is accessed and retrieved as needed while thesystem is in use. In the preferred embodiment, a detailed map of theselected area is stored which includes state and county boundaryinformation, landmarks, waterways, and even detailed street maps of theentire area. This allows the viewer to quickly recognize the geographicarea, and allows the system to have a “zoom-in” feature that displaysinformation down to street level.

In the second stage 20, meteorological data is obtained in real-timeusing Doppler radar units 21 operated from at least one location and inconjunction with NEXRAD data 23. Ancillary meteorological data 24, suchas cloud height, temperature, humidity, and dew point, total rainfalland satellite imagery may be obtained by non-radar measurements.

The preferred Doppler radar units 21 are C-band or X-band Dopplermeteorological surveillance radar with automatic computer processingsystems 22 and ground clutter suppression. These radar units providemeasurement of both reflectivity and velocity of rain droplets and canscan volumetrically to produce high-quality images. In the reflectivitymode, the rain droplet echoes are scaled to correspond directly tovalues of rainfall intensity or rainwater content. In velocity mode, theradar measures the movement of scattering particles along the radarbeam. In addition, special lightning detection software and algorithmsmay be incorporated with the C-band radar to forecast lightning hazards.The radar automatic computer processing system 22 handles radar control,user interface and real-time display tasks. Base parameters, such asmean velocity, reflectivity and spectral width can be automaticallydisplayed and archived on disk. The radar computer processing system 22also allows playback capability for off-line analysis.

The data supplied by the C-band, and/or X-band radar units may besupplemented by S-band radar data 23 supplied by National WeatherService radar units to provide a picture of the weather in a radius of250 nautical miles surrounding the installation. The National WeatherService has a network of advanced S-Band Doppler radar stations in placeat 138 sites in the United States, and is capable of delivering 77different data products to government meteorologists. The data productsinclude; winds aloft, lightning activity and wind shear conditions suchas microburst activity. Out of these 77 products, 11 are allowed to bereceived by the public which include four tilts or “slices” of theatmosphere in clear air mode and eleven slices of the atmosphere instorm mode.

The various slices of the atmosphere create a time delay in theacquisition of NEXRAD data. The NEXRAD radar first provides weather datafor the lowest slice of the atmosphere. Then the angle of the radarrelative to the ground is increased, and data is collected andtransmitted for the next slice of the atmosphere. This process continuesuntil the radar has collected data for each slice of the atmosphere.During this rotation, only one slice of the atmosphere is updated at atime, and thus the data for the remaining slices remain static until theradar returns to that part of the rotation. For example, if the data forthe slice of the atmosphere lowest to the ground is collected andtranslated at 12:00, it will not be updated until about 12:05. Thisdelay in data causes a problem in attempting to combine the data withreal-time Doppler data.

The 11 data products from the National Weather Service are commerciallyavailable through private weather service companies, called “NIDSvendors” which act as intermediaries between the National WeatherService and the public. The acquisition of the 11 data products at aparticular site requires a downlink microwave unit and file server.

In the preferred embodiment, the present system would utilize thefollowing National Weather Service data products to supplement theC-band and X-band radar data:

Product # Product ID Product 19 R Reflectivity (4 lowest tilts) CRComposite reflectivity 36 CR Clear air mode 38 CR Precipitation mode 41ET Echo tops 57 VIL Vertical integrated liquid 78 OHP Surface rainfailaccumulation/ 1 hr running total 79 THP Surface rainfall accumulation/ 3hr total 80 STP Surface rainfall accumulation/ Storm total 81 DPA Hourlydigital rainfall array product 27 V Radial velocity (4 lowest tilts) 48VWP Velocity azimuth display (VAD) winds (time vs height) Layercomposite reflectivity 65 LRM Low layer 66 LRM Middle layer 90 LRM Highlayer 75 FTM Free text message (instrumentation messages)

The time delay problem that exists in combining real-time Doppler andNEXRAD data exists to a certain extent with other types of weather datainputs. For example, lightening strike data does not come incontinuously but is recorded every second. Various other types ofsurface data inputs are available in a wide variety of time increments.

The desired weather data is transmitted via various communication linesto a microprocessor 15 that uses algorithms to translate this data intoweather information that is useful to the viewer. The processes usefulfor translating this information are well known to those of skill in theart, however, those of skill have not generally needed to compile thisinformation in three dimensions. Those of skill in the art willrecognize, however, that the collected data may be separated andutilized according to height, as well as the familiar two dimensionsthat are commonly used. The microprocessor 15 used to compile theweather data and the computer 26 used to create the graphical displaymay actually exist in the same unit. The preferred microprocessor 15 forthis system is a dual Pentium® processor platform.

In the third stage of the process 30, the Doppler radar and NEXRAD dataare combined to provide a complete picture of current weather data. Thisis accomplished through a process of constantly adding data to thegraphical representation, as it becomes available, and periodicallyupdating the data to provide an accurate picture as of the time of theupdate.

The radar data may first be converted from the radial coordinates inwhich it is received, to Cartesian coordinates for easier 3Drepresentation. Any other weather data that is received should also beconverted to similar Cartesian coordinates to be filled into the areadisplayed. A unique feature of the present invention is the utilizationof height data with respect to the weather data displayed. Previously,weather data has been displayed from a direct overhead view, so thatonly two dimension characteristics were necessary. The user coulddisplay the intensity and nature of a given storm cell, but only withrespect to its geographic location, not with respect to the storm'sheight in the atmosphere. The present invention provides for the displayof full volumetric information of the weather in a given geographicarea.

Next, the data may be processed to provide a graphical representation ofthe current weather. The methods for converting real-time Doppler radarand NEXRAD data into graphical weather displays are well known by thoseof skill in the art of computerized weather-casting. The precipitationand velocity information are utilized to define the location andintensity of storm cells, as well as the existence of wind shear andother important weather factors. Although weather is not generallydisplayed with three-dimensional graphics, the methods for creating 3Ddisplays once all of the data points have been determined are wellknown.

The fourth step 40 of the process is creating and updating athree-dimensional model of the current weather. FIG. 3 provides agraphical representation of the three-dimensional area to be illustratedonce the weather data has been processed. The grid pattern 42 isillustrative of the geographic data stored in the computer memory, andprovides the “x” and “y” axes of the Cartesian coordinates. The box 44is illustrative of the atmosphere above the geographic area for whichthe weather data is collected, which provides the “z” axis. TheCartesian coordinates of the converted weather data correspond tocoordinates within this box 44.

The three-dimensional model of the weather data may be created by usingdata from recent past. If data has been collected and time tagged, thena full three-dimensional model of the weather within the geographic areamay be built based upon the old data. Alternatively, the model may bedeveloped without the use of saved data, by building thethree-dimensional model as weather data becomes available. The model maybe updated by defining a periodic update period, or “heartbeat,” for thedata system. The inventors have determined that a five-minute“heartbeat” is preferable for present day methods of collecting weatherdata. As weather data collection techniques become more advanced, thepreferred system heartbeat will likely be more rapid. Data is collectedfrom all of the desired weather data sources during the five-minuteperiod. The three-dimensional display is constantly updated with theavailable information. At the end of the five-minute period, all of thedesired weather data sources will have reported data, and the entirethree-dimensional display can be completed based upon the fullcollection of data. The system then once again begins updating thedisplay in preparation for the next heartbeat.

The periodic update period may best be explained with reference to thethree-dimensional weather box shown in FIG. 3. Any weather passingthrough the box will be displayed. As weather data is collected, it isimmediately processed and then utilized to update the weather display.During the five-minute heartbeat period, the real-time Doppler radardata is constantly updated as the radar rotates. However, as statedabove, the NEXRAD data is delivered in slices. As the data for thelowest slice of the atmosphere is collected, that portion of the displaybox is updated. As the next slice of atmosphere data is received, thenew corresponding section of the display box is also updated. The lowestslice of atmosphere would remain primarily static, except for anychanges that need to be made based upon the real-time Doppler radardata, or any other weather data input being utilized. In this way, thedisplay box is constantly updated until the NEXRAD radar completes itscycle. At the end of the five-minute heartbeat period, the entiredisplay box may be updated to match the compilation of weather data thathas been collected during the preceding five-minutes. Then the processwill begin all over again.

Although only one weather box is shown in FIG. 3, it should berecognized that the present invention may utilize multiple boxes tobuild the three dimensional weather display. If the geographic area islarge enough, then multiple NEXRAD radar sites and/or Doppler radarsites may be used to cover the entire area. In such case the user mayfind the system more versatile if it is broken down into several boxes,each of which is updated at its own “heartbeat” pace.

In the final stage 50, the three-dimensional graphical representation ofthe combined weather data is combined with the geographical data fordisplay in “real-time.” “Real-time display” for purposes of the presentsystem is defined as display within approximately 6 minutes of acquiringmeteorological data. The graphical representation is displayed relativeto a selective “observation point” and dynamically controlled withrespect to geographical and topographical data by a peripheral device,such as a mouse. The storm data is represented in full volume form,meaning that data representing the interior of the storm may alsodisplayed. This allows the user to rotate the storm cell andgeographical data to view the storm from any angle. In addition the usermay “slice” the storm to view its cross-section from any angle. The fullvolume graphical representation of the storm is well within the ordinaryskill in the art, once the weather data has been collected andtranslated into Cartesian coordinates.

As shown in FIG. 1, the process of collecting, processing and displayingthe weather data is preferably continuous. That is, thethree-dimensional model of the weather is constantly updated so that newdata is utilized as soon as it is received.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, storm cells will bedisplayed by showing only their exterior, with various color schemesutilized to represent precipitation intensities. One display option forthe user will be showing the storm from directly overhead. This willmake the storm appear to be in the more familiar two-dimensional displaythat television viewers currently recognize. The user may then tilt thestorm upon its “x” axis, to begin giving the storm height in aperspective view (FIG. 5). In this way, the television viewers willrecognize the size of the storm cell, and still be able to associategeographic landmarks with the storm.

Should a thunderstorm enter the area, the radar system will be able toactually produce a 3-D “x-ray” of the storm itself. Using simplegraphical techniques, the different storm structures can be visualizedbased upon radar reflectivity. All areas can be easily represented: theupdraft vault, wall cloud, rain zones, lightening strikes, and dangerouswind shear locations. The Doppler radar would be able to detect thecharacteristic “hook” shape associated with tornadic rotation manyminutes before the tornadoes touch the ground. The observer will be ableto visualize the information in 3-D.

Thus, broadcasters will be able to not only tell about storm activity,they will be able to show viewers—giving them a tour of the thunderstormin real time. Suppose, for example, during a thunderstorm, circularmotion begins to occur 1000 feet above the ground over the corner ofSmith Street and Elm Drive. The broadcaster would have the raw data andbe able to zoom in on the structure, examine it—and then warn viewers.

During a hurricane, the viewers will be able to “see” the structure ofthe storm on their television screen, then perhaps travel down into theeye and through the wall of the hurricane. Intense updrafts, vorticesand tornadic activity can be identified through visualization of Dopplerimages. For the first time, viewers will actually see what is going onin the air above them.

Rainfall intensities can also be determined and modeled using layeringtechniques, thus giving important information on potential flooding.This same technique can be ported to another real-time problemassociated with urban life: reporting and visualization of traffictie-ups.

The present system provides exceptional data and graphics, far beyondwhat is now offered on television weathercasts.

While this invention has been described fully and completely withspecial emphasis upon a preferred embodiment, it should be understoodthat within the scope of the appended claims the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described herein.

We claim:
 1. A method of graphically displaying weather data inreal-time, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality ofsubsets of weather data over a period of time, said plurality of subsetsof weather data defining a detectable volume of a weather eventaffecting a geographic area, and each subset of said plurality ofsubsets defining a volumetric portion of the weather event; processingeach subset of weather data as each subset is received to create aplurality of components, each of said components corresponding to aparticular volumetric portion of the weather event; associating eachcomponent with a graphical representation of the affected geographicarea as each component becomes available to create a then currentthree-dimensional model of the detectable volume of the weather event;and displaying a graphical representation of the then currentthree-dimensional model during the associating step such that a viewerobserves the graphical representation changing a component at a timeover the period of time.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidassociating step comprises the step of replacing a component of saidthree-dimensional model with an updated component when an updated subsetof weather data is received.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein saidassociating step comprises the step of successively replacing eachcomponent of said three-dimensional model with a corresponding updatedcomponent as updated subsets of weather data are received.
 4. The methodof claim 1 wherein said associating step comprises the step of adding acomponent to the then current three-dimensional model when an additionalsubset of weather data is received.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid receiving step comprises the step of receiving said plurality ofsubsets of weather data from a plurality of sources.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein said plurality of sources comprises NEXRAD radar dataand at least one real-time Doppler radar, and wherein said associatingstep comprises the steps of continuously replacing said componentcorresponding to said real-time doppler radar and replacing eachcomponent corresponding to said NEXRAD radar data as each componentbecomes available.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said displaying stepcomprises the step of depicting said graphical representation intwo-dimensions.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said displaying stepcomprises the step of depicting said graphical representation inthree-dimensions.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the period of time isless than or equal to six minutes, and wherein said associating stepcomprises the step of adding each component to the graphicalrepresentation within the period of time.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein the period of time is less than or equal to six minutes, andwherein said associating step comprises the step of replacing eachcomponent of said three-dimensional model with an updated componentwithin the period of time.
 11. A system for graphically displayingweather data in real-time, said system comprising: a source of weatherdata, said source of weather data configured to deliver a plurality ofsubsets of weather data over a period of time, the plurality of subsetsdefining a detectable volume of a weather event affecting a geographicarea, and each subset defining a volumetric portion of the weatherevent; a database including a graphical representation of the geographicarea; a processor communicating with said source of weather data toreceive the plurality of subsets of weather data, said processorinstructed to process each subset of weather data at the time eachsubset is received to create a plurality of components, each of whichcorresponds to a particular volumetric portion of the weather event, andcommunicating with said database to associate each component with thegraphical representation of the geographic area as each componentbecomes available such that a then current three-dimensional model ofthe detectable volume of the weather event is derived over the period oftime; and a display device communicating with said processor tographically depict the association of each component with the graphicalrepresentation such that a viewer observes the graphical representationof the three-dimensional model changing a component at a time over theperiod of time.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said source ofweather data comprises a plurality of sources of weather data.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein said plurality of sources of weather datacomprise at least one NEXRAD radar and at least one real-time Dopplerradar.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said real-time Doppler radarcontinuously delivers a subset of weather data and said NEXRAD radardelivers a plurality of subsets of weather data a subset at a time overa period of time, and wherein said processor continuously replaces thecomponent corresponding to the real-time Doppler radar and replaces eachcomponent corresponding the NEXRAD radar as each component becomesavailable.
 15. The system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of sourcesare selected from the group consisting of C-band, S-band or X-bandradar.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein the graphical representationof the three-dimensional model is depicted in two dimensions.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the graphical representation of thethree-dimensional model is depicted in three dimensions.
 18. The systemof claim 11 wherein the period of time is less than or equal to sixminutes, and wherein each component of said plurality of said receivedcomponents is added to the graphical representation within the period oftime.
 19. The system of claim 11 wherein the period of time is less thanor equal to six minutes, and wherein each component of the graphicalrepresentation is replaced with an updated component within the periodof time.